Snap Happy

Design shows on TV help attract
people to the "New Rooms in a Snap"
seminar at HomeWorld

With the popularity of HGTV and home makeover shows like "Design on a Dime" and "Trading Spaces," the design craze has caught on, to the point of attracting those who aren't really sure they have anything to redo.

Quickie design Debi Spellman will discuss the details of her home renovation project during the next HomeWorld seminar. Where and when: The two seminars will be held 1 p.m. April 23 at HomeWorld Pearlridge, 98107 Kamehameha Highway, and April 24 at HomeWorld Honolulu, 702 S. Beretania St.

Gary Cheng, for one, is content just to take up space on a love seat while attending a "New Rooms in a Snap" home improvement seminar at HomeWorld on a Saturday afternoon. Nodding toward his wife seated next to him, he said, "Virginia wanted to come here."

"I'm just looking for a few new ideas," says Virginia of the seminar that offered tips for redoing an interior on the cheap.

"I'm a fan of home television. I watch design and home makeover shows. It seems like everyone is redoing their homes."

About 50 people showed up for the event.

"People are more apt to do it themselves more and more," said Debi Spellman, visual division manager of HomeWorld.

A former set designer for the Polynesian Palace's Frank De Lima and "Y.E.S." shows, she says creating a new room in a snap "can be done. Change pillows, change the lighting. Simply put, less is more. It's the little touches here and there."

Spellman knows of what she speaks. Her own home renovation project will be featured in a future seminar. "I did an office, a bedroom and a lanai," she said. "You don't have to spend a lot to make it look like a million. It's doable."

Knowing what to do with an interior starts with the resident's personality.

"Fashion sense is a good indicator of your furniture and accessory style. Most people who wear hip, fashion-forward clothing will lean toward a contemporary look in their home, while a more conservative dresser will lean toward a traditional or transitional style," Spellman said.

But if your design style is a little bit country and a little bit of another style, that's OK, too.

"Inject your room with your own personal style, and do not be afraid of color," is Harrison Shinn's design theory. Shinn is visual manager of the Honolulu HomeWorld store. His favorite style is to mix minimalist and Asian-inspired furniture, although he is also fond of traditional and country dŽcor.

HOMEWORLD By simply changing a few accessories, the HomeWorld design team of Debi Spellman, Harrison Shinn and Jennifer Garner gave one couch from a standard living room set (top left) three new looks (clockwise from top right): contemporary, traditional and island style.

With a few small changes, a room's look can go immediately from traditional to contemporary to tropical. By repositioning standard furniture and trading out a few accessories, an "island look" combining Asian and tropical influences can be achieved through using materials like wicker, bamboo and sea grass. Accessories such as textured pillows, matchstick blinds and plants like banana trees, orchids, birds of paradise and palms can add subtle sophistication. Souvenirs from past vacations and fabrics ranging from silks to floral-print linens add a personal touch.

"My favorite rooms are ones that make you feel at home; they have stories behind the pieces and let you really know the people you are visiting," said Jennifer Garner (not the "Alias" star), visual merchandise manager for the Pearlridge location.

Garner suggests using vibrant colors and heavy textures in addition to the dark woods associated with the island look.

"The colors for an island look vary, but think rich colors in shades of red or brown or gold," said Garner. "Or for tropical, use blues and yellows. Add color through pillows, rugs and pictures. Bamboo goes well with gold."

Spellman said homeowners should not be afraid of using color on walls, but if a client is leery, she offers a different approach: "Starch fabrics onto walls. It's a great piece of artwork. It's a good way to try color before you paint a wall."

Shinn also suggests using furniture that can double as another option, good for small spaces. "Use an ottoman as an alternative to a cocktail table," he said. "It's good for storage if you have limited space."

LIKE THE CHENGS, some attended the 45-minute seminar because of their fascination with shows like "Trading Spaces" and "Design on a Dime."

"I just love home decorating," said Jan Zastrow, of Makiki. "It's a hobby and I help friends. I like the idea of changing a home on a low budget and decorating with a few carefully chosen items."

Teru Morton of Honolulu just bought a condo and is looking for fresh ideas. "I'm just an amateur, and I wanted suggestions for my home," she said. "My friend knew I was possibly remodeling and redecorating."

Before one can start thinking about accessories, Spellman says the most important step in any home makeover is to start with good furniture, the bones of any room. "Buy furniture that will last."

She said amateur designers often fall into a money pit, saying people can easily, and accidentally, spend too much on accessories. "Furniture is the most expensive purchase, so go lightly with the other items," she said.